Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries: A Muslim Perspective

There is a difference of opinion among Muslim scholars on whether Muslims can celebrate wedding anniversaries. Some scholars say that it is permissible, while others recommend prohibiting it. A wedding anniversary is not directly prohibited or encouraged in the Quran or the Hadith, and different scholars have different points of view on the matter. According to Dr. Yasir Qadhi, dean of Al-Maghrib Institution and a scholar with a doctorate in Islamic Studies, it is completely okay for Muslims to celebrate wedding anniversaries. He argues that it is unrealistic to say that celebrating a wedding anniversary is haraam or bidaah, as a husband and wife are simply celebrating their partnership and not doing anything haraam.

It is allowed for Muslims to celebrate wedding anniversaries

Wedding anniversaries are viewed as cultural practices, and since they were not part of Arab culture, there is limited information in Islamic sources regarding their permissibility. However, Dr. Qadhi asserts that by celebrating an anniversary, one is simply making their partner happy, which is encouraged in Islam. Additionally, just as speaking English, wearing Western clothing, or consuming halal hamburgers are not considered haram, celebrating an anniversary can be viewed similarly.

While some Islamic scholars may advise against celebrating anniversaries because they are seen as the way of non-believers, it is essential to understand the underlying intentions and practices. According to Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt, there is "no Islamic virtue" in participating in such celebrations, but neither is it a sin to refrain from them. He outlines specific conditions that allow Muslims to celebrate anniversaries without imitating the actions and beliefs of disbelievers:

• No intention of imitating non-Muslims
• Refraining from prohibited acts during celebrations, such as music, dancing, intermingling of genders, and consumption of wine
• Not believing or intending it to be an established Islamic practice
• Not looking down upon those who choose not to participate in such celebrations

Furthermore, Fatāwā Raḥīmiyyah states that if one uses the anniversary as an opportunity to thank Allah and express gratitude for their blessings, there is nothing wrong with that.

In conclusion, it is permissible for Muslims to celebrate wedding anniversaries as long as they adhere to the guidelines provided by Islamic scholars. By avoiding imitation of non-Muslim practices and focusing on gratitude to Allah, Muslims can commemorate their special occasions while remaining faithful to their religious teachings.

Celebrating a wedding anniversary is not imitating the kuffar

However, some Muslims argue that celebrating a wedding anniversary is considered imitating the kuffar (non-believers) and is, therefore, haram (forbidden). They base this belief on the hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, "Whosoever emulates a nation is amongst them."

Nevertheless, it is essential to understand that imitating the kuffar is only haram when it involves something that is uniquely kufr. For example, wearing a cross or celebrating Christmas are considered imitating the kuffar and are thus prohibited in Islam.

On the other hand, celebrating a wedding anniversary is a cultural practice that is not unique to any particular religion. It is simply a way for married couples to commemorate their special day and express their love and gratitude for each other. This act of celebration does not involve any un-Islamic practices and can be done within the limits set by Allah.

Furthermore, Dr. Yasir Qadhi, a renowned Islamic scholar, emphasizes that claiming wedding anniversaries as haram is an overly strict interpretation of Islam. He states that if celebrating personal anniversaries is considered haram, then speaking English, wearing certain types of clothing, or living in Western countries would also be forbidden, which is clearly not the case.

In conclusion, celebrating a wedding anniversary is not imitating the kuffar as it does not involve any practices that are uniquely associated with non-believers. It is simply a cultural practice that can be done within the boundaries of Islamic teachings. As long as the celebration adheres to Sharia law and does not involve any haram activities, there is nothing wrong with Muslims commemorating their wedding anniversary.

Conditions for celebrating a wedding anniversary in Islam

Firstly, it is important to note that there is no Islamic virtue in celebrating wedding anniversaries, nor is there any sin if such events are not celebrated. However, for those who choose to celebrate, there are certain conditions that must be adhered to.

The General Iftaa' Department in Jordan states that it is permissible for Muslims to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, graduations, and wedding anniversaries, as rejoicing in the bounty and mercy of Allah is lawful in Islam. However, the regulations of the Shariah must be applied when celebrating such occasions. These include no mixing between men and women who are not immediate relatives, adherence to the Islamic dress code for women, maintenance of chastity, and no privacy between men and women.

Additionally, according to Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt, the following conditions must be strictly considered to ensure the celebration is islamically allowed:

• One must not intend to imitate disbelievers or their non-Muslim acts.
• All islamically prohibited acts must be prevented during the celebrations, such as music, dance, intermingling of genders, and wine consumption.
• One must not believe or intend the celebration to be an established Islamic practice or binding/necessary.
• One must not look down upon those who choose not to participate in such celebrations.

In summary, while there is no religious obligation regarding wedding anniversary celebrations, Muslims who choose to do so must follow specific guidelines to ensure their practices align with Islamic teachings and do not imitate the actions of disbelievers.

Islamic scholars who say celebrating a wedding anniversary is permissible

Islamic scholars who say that celebrating a wedding anniversary is permissible argue that it is a cultural thing and not a religious practice. They argue that there is no Islamic virtue in celebrating a wedding anniversary, nor is there any sin if it is not celebrated.

Dr. Yasir Qadhi, the dean of Al-Maghrib Institution and a scholar with a doctorate in Islamic Studies, states that it is completely okay for Muslims to celebrate a wedding anniversary. He argues that it is unrealistic and foolish to say that wedding anniversaries are haram or bidaah (forbidden). He adds that when a husband and wife celebrate their partnership, they are not doing anything wrong and are simply making their partners happy, which is encouraged in Islam.

Qadhi further explains that since the wedding anniversary was not a part of Arab culture, there is a lack of information on whether it is permissible or not. He also points out the inconsistency in considering it haram by stating that if celebrating a wedding anniversary is non-permissible, then speaking any language other than Arabic should also be haram.

Another scholar, Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt, states that celebrating birthdays and anniversaries may be permissible in Islam if certain conditions are met. These conditions include having no intention of imitating disbelievers, avoiding prohibited acts during the celebrations (such as music, dancing, and intermingling of genders), and not believing it to be an established Islamic practice.

In summary, these Islamic scholars argue that celebrating a wedding anniversary is a cultural practice that does not contradict Islamic teachings. They emphasize that it is a way to express love and gratitude, which are values encouraged in Islam.

Islamic scholars who say celebrating a wedding anniversary is non-permissible

While there is no consensus on the matter, some Islamic scholars argue that celebrating a wedding anniversary is non-permissible in Islam. This argument is based on the idea that such celebrations are considered a way of imitating the customs and culture of non-Muslims, which is seen as haraam (forbidden).

Scholars who hold this view, such as Shaykh Ebrahim Desai, state that the celebration of wedding anniversaries is not a practice that is unique to Islam, but rather a tradition that originated from non-Muslim cultures. They cite the hadith in which Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Salam) stated, "one who imitates a nation is from them." This implies that Muslims should not adopt the practices of other nations if they are not aligned with Islamic teachings.

Additionally, these scholars emphasize the differences in the thinking of Muslims and non-Muslims. They argue that the life of a non-Muslim is often confined to seeking pleasure and luxury in this world, without a strong concern for the hereafter. In contrast, Muslims strive for true happiness and pleasure in the afterlife, marking happy occasions while also prioritizing their spiritual goals.

While Muslims are encouraged to mark happy occasions, scholars advise that the expression of happiness during such occasions should not resemble customary birthday or anniversary celebrations, which are typically associated with entertainment and merrymaking. Instead, they suggest that Muslims should thank Allah for His bounty and mercy and seek a long life span and blessings from Him.

Furthermore, the origin of birthday celebrations is often traced back to pre-Christian pagan cultures, where people believed that evil spirits visited individuals on their birthdays. To protect against these spirits, friends and family would gather, make merry, and give gifts to bring good cheer. While the specific tradition of celebrating wedding anniversaries may not have the same historical roots, it is still viewed by some scholars as an imitation of non-Muslim customs.

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